Decisions for a Decade: Task Force Report and Recommendations, and Appendices A and B.

Nanaimo School District #68 (British Columbia).

These materials feature the report and recommendations of a task force that was asked to develop a strategic plan that identifies the present and future needs of the Nanaimo (British Columbia) School District and recommends strategies for policy development and implementation in the years ahead. The task force gathered information for its recommendations by conducting surveys of the general public (parents and non-parents), business and professional organizations, recent grade 12 students, elementary students, secondary students, parents, and all employees of the school district (teachers, support staff, and administration). Another source of direct public input utilized by the task force was a series of 13 public meetings. Three documents concerning the Task Force's work are included in these materials. The first is the Task Force report and recommendations that summarizes research on educational change and planning for educational change, and includes the findings and recommendations concerning students, personnel resources, program resources, material resources, and community resources. A list of selected resources also is included. The second document is appendix A which presents the results of the surveys conducted for the Task Force. Four main areas of concern were addressed through the surveys: (1) opinion about the learning environment in School District 68; (2) views on school district communication; (3) views on education "options" in School District 68; and (4) overall satisfaction with the school district. An analysis of comments made by four groups (elementary and secondary students, parents and business community, recent graduates, and staff) are included. The third document contains the notes of the 13 public meetings that were held by the Task Force in order to allow further public input. (DB)